Tuch - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen stars in Sabres’ shootout win; Isak Rosen scores first NHL goal

BUFFALO – Two days before Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s splendid 33-save outing in Saturday’s 4-3 shootout win, coach Lindy Ruff acknowledged the Finn, having recently missed so much time, likely wasn’t ready to be a big difference-maker.

Luukkonen, who on Saturday made just his second NHL start this season and first in a week, has spent most of the last two months battling two lower-body injuries.

In his absence, veteran Alex Lyon quickly emerged as ... Read the full article

With Zach Benson injured, Isak Rosen earns another chance with Sabres

BUFFALO – After the Sabres assigned wing prospect Isak Rosen to the Rochester Americans, he immediately began a three-week offensive tear, scoring two times opening night and registering five goals and 12 points in his first eight outings.

Fresh off a disappointing training camp with the Sabres, the Swede, 22, quickly established himself as one of the AHL’s elite scorers early in his fourth season.

When winger Zach Benson suffered a lower-body injury – coach ... Read the full article

Sabres put up fight, lose to Maple Leafs in OT; UPL replaces injured Colten Ellis

TORONTO – Put Saturday afternoon’s 4-3 loss to the Maple Leafs in the acceptable category for the Buffalo Sabres.

Sure, some sting accompanies the overtime setback. They held a late third-period lead. They fell seconds after nearly winning it at the other end.

But the Sabres, fresh off Friday’s 5-3 home win against the Maple Leafs, took three of four points from their closest rival. They’re 4-1-1 in their last six outings.... Read the full article

Mattias Samuelsson scores two goals as Sabres down Maple Leafs; Buffalo likely to make recall

BUFFALO – In his first 217 NHL games, Sabres defenseman Mattias Samuelsson scored seven times, an average of one goal every 31 outings.

He registered his first goal in his 64th appearance. He has never scored more than four times in a season.

So Samuelsson hasn’t enjoyed too many outings like his two-goal performance in Friday’s 5-3 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs before a bipartisan crowd of 17,211 fans in KeyBank Center.... Read the full article

Jack Quinn scoring goals, developing into one of Sabres’ offensive drivers

BUFFALO – Exactly one year ago, in the early stages of the roughest stretch of his career, Sabres winger Jack Quinn hadn’t scored a goal and had already been scratched.

Today, fresh off a slick one-goal, three-point outing, Quinn has scored three times – that’s as many goals as Rasmus Dahlin, Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch have combined this season – and is tied for the team lead with six points.

Quinn’s outburst has helped ... Read the full article

Sabres newcomer Josh Doan displaying offensive growth: ‘Just seen a glimpse’

BUFFALO – At each level before he reached the NHL – junior, college and the AHL – Sabres winger Josh Doan showcased offensive growth in his second season.

With the Chicago Steel, he shook off a frustrating five-goal rookie year and scored 31 times. As a sophomore at Arizona State University, he upped his goal total from 12 to 16.

In his first taste of the pros, Doan registered three goals in 14 games for ... Read the full article

Sabres roar back to beat Senators, earn first win: ‘Building came to life’

BUFFALO – The four-goal second period that buoyed the Sabres to Wednesday’s much-needed 8-4 come-from-behind win can be traced to, of all things, winger Alex Tuch’s penalty.

With the Sabres trailing 2-1 at the 5:48 mark and down a man, Tuch was whistled for a slashing call he found, at the time, a little weak.

Tuch, who rarely barks at officials, emphatically pleaded his case.... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Ryan McLeod, other forwards struggling early; Alexandar Georgiev practices with Rochester

BUFFALO – Jiri Kulich, the Sabres’ second-youngest forward, got singled out a bit by practicing as an extra before Wednesday’s game against the Ottawa Senators.

But make no mistake, nearly every Sabres forward struggled during their dreary 0-3-0 start they carried into their contest against the Ottawa Senators.

“This isn’t about Kulich,” coach Lindy Ruff, whose Sabres began the night with just two goals all season, said Wednesday morning in KeyBank Center.... Read the full article

After brief hospitalization, Sabres’ Zach Benson ready to play; UPL, Jordan Greenway also return practice

BUFFALO – In the short term, only one of the three injured players who returned to practice Tuesday, winger Zach Benson, can help the reeling Sabres.

Coach Lindy Ruff said he expects Benson, who was hospitalized last week after a puck cut his face in practice, to play tonight against the Ottawa Senators in KeyBank Center.

Sporting a full “fishbowl” shield to cover his black eye and cut, Benson took reps on Tuesday alongside ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Josh Norris out injured; Zach Benson to leave hospital

BUFFALO – Fresh off the most productive summer of his career, a healthy Josh Norris seemed poised to enjoy a breakout season as the Sabres’ new No. 1 center.

The oft-injured Norris, 26, dazzled during four preseason outings, scoring three goals and an NHL-high seven points.

But just one game into the season, he’s hurt again, joining five teammates on the sideline.

What the heck is going on?

“Maybe it’s just a test for us ... Read the full article